Having a healthy digestive system means your gut has the right balance of bacteria within the gastrointestinal tract and is working efficiently without duress. From your esophagus down to the intestines, all these parts work hand in hand to help digest food without feeling off or poorly. Unfortunately, that’s not something that millions of people with digestive issues experience.
All of the food and drinks that humans ingest get digested in the gut, which is then broken down into smaller nutrients that can selectively travel through the bloodstream. This is the common process for those with a healthy gut. Having a healthy gut entails having good bacteria, a good barrier in the gut and enough immune components to fight off infections and problems caused by bad bacteria, viruses, and various fungi. Your digestive system is also connected to the brain via hormones and nerves that coordinate activity, give sensory feedback, and more.
Having a healthy gut integrity and microbiome can strengthen your immune system, improve your mood, minimize weight problems, improve sleep, and it can even help you reduce risk from more serious conditions like certain cancers and autoimmune problems.
What are some of the common digestive issues associated with having an unhealthy gut?
There are millions of people in America who suffer from digestive diseases on a daily basis. There are no concrete figures, as some citizens just learn how to live with it and never report it to their doctor. While sometimes these issues may ebb and flow and go away on its own, sometimes these issues could be a sign of something that needs your doctor’s attention ASAP. Some of the more common ones include gas, heartburn, stomach aches and hyperacidity. If you or someone close to you suffer from any of these issues, maybe it’s time to schedule a visit to the doctor. It’s always better to nip the problem in the bud in order to avoid bigger problems and bigger hospital bills.
Read on to find out what the first five out of the most common digestive issues are. Don’t forget to read part 2 to learn the other half and find out what we can do to have a healthy digestive system.
- Constipation
Constipation is having the difficulty to pass stool. It could also mean having bowels less than 2 to 4 times a week. About 63 million Americans suffer from constipation and the usual solution is self-medicating with laxatives. These only offer temporary relief and do not solve the issue completely. Suppositories are also not recommended by doctors, as it could damage tissues around the anus.
However, the best solution for this is to have a more fiber rich diet and to constantly hydrate. Some people may also do well by increasing magnesium and vitamin C intake daily. If you’re unsure on how to relieve yourself of constipation, it’s best to seek your doctor’s advice. Straining while on the toilet could also cause greater problems for you in the long run and could lead to another issue like hemorrhoids.
- Hemorrhoids
As mentioned in the previous section, hemorrhoids are a different problem and are usually caused by constipation. This also happens commonly to pregnant women who are susceptible to constipation. Hemorrhoids are blood vessels on the anus and anal canal that are swollen and can cause immense pain, and sometimes bleeding. Some symptoms of this include pain and itching around the area and bright red blood on the stool.
75% of people older than 45 tend to have hemorrhoids. It almost always happens alongside constipation. If your constipation gets relieved, so will your hemorrhoids. More fiber and fluids on your diet will immensely help. Sometimes, a nice warm Epsom salt bath can also help ease the pain and itchiness that go with it. Topical witch hazel and essential oils have been shown to be helpful for many individuals as well.
Most people don’t usually seek help for this condition, as they feel embarrassed, but they should know that our doctor will be glad to help.
- Gallstones
Do you experience sudden pain that increases over time on your stomach? You could be having gallstones. The gallstone is an organ that’s connected to the liver and stores bile. The bile has a tendency to harden into small “stones” that can be painful. About 20 million people in the United States have gallstones, thanks to the high fat, high salt meals served in fast food restaurants and snacks from convenience stores. Some of these cases go away on their own. But in most cases, it can cause chronic pain and infection. If you experience sharp pain on the upper right portion of your stomach, have a fever and vomiting, go to your doctor as soon as you can. There are natural foods and supplements that can help, over time, bring the gallbladder back to better health.
- Diverticular Disease
Diverticular disease is when pockets form around the wall of the colon or large intestine. These pockets will then collect bacteria from fecal matter which could ultimately lead to an infection and inflammation and be diagnosed as diverticulitis. Common symptoms of this are bloating, constipation, and or pain in the lower abdomen. If this has not become diverticulitis (where an infection and inflammation have developed), simple changes in the diet such as more fiber is recommended and usually helps relieve symptoms. Around half of folks around 60 to 80 years old experience this condition.
- Gluten Sensitivity or Celiac Disease
Ever noticed items in the grocery or restaurant menus that say “gluten free”? It is because more people nowadays are diagnosed with gluten sensitivity and celiac disease. Both ailments have similar symptoms – bloating, abdominal pain, and chronic diarrhea. About 5% of people in the United States suffer from this. And even if it’s common, it’s best not to self-diagnose. These two ailments may be similar, but they have different healing options, albeit you should avoid gluten in your diet in both of them. Celiac disease is a type of auto-immune disease that affects the small intestine. If left on its own, it could cause diabetes and multiple sclerosis. The first step to feeling relief is avoiding gluten and seeing your doctor for proper diagnosis and health care options.
If you think your issue is not on the list, and you want to learn more, click part 2 of The Importance of Building a Strong, Vital Digestive System and Microbiome article via this link.
However, if you are experiencing one of these issues and do not know how and where to start, do not fret. Help is just one click away. Consider consulting with a qualified holistic doctor. Schedule a Free 15-minute Discovery Call with Dr. Eric Wood, ND by clicking this link.